Friday, March 12, 2010

Noisy Joints

Lately my joints have been going snap, crackle and pop, just like the famous Kellogg's Rice Krispies. They never used to do that, so it's obviously the effects of the rheumatoid arthritis.

Apparently, the official name for when joints grind together is crepitus. It has to do with disease activity – not surprising and this is an official explanation – and I don't like it. Here's another link, too.

15 comments:

One thing I'll have to say about RA, I never stop learning! I have to admit that I enjoy the learning aspect of all this (I just wish the circumstances were different).

When I flare, I sound like a bowl of rice crispies. When things are under control, the joints are quiet. Funny thing, though, is that when I asked about it at my very first rheumy appointment, I was told that's OA, not RA. I think that PA was wrong!

My knee joints have crackled when I squat down since I was a kid, Laurie -- just the knees, though. I've had rheuma attack them, as an adult, but I never connected the rheuma with the crepitus that's always been there. Hmmm.

I'm really glad that there's so much information about RA available now through the Internet -- I went through the first 15 years of having it without knowing much about anything about it. While some of the information can be scary, I do appreciate knowing it, at least...

My knees have made the odd crack before this, and while my rheumatologist did note that I do have signs of osteoarthritis in my big toes and a couple of other joints, this snap, crackle, pop stuff is happening all over on and off now, so the RA must be the culprit (wily disease!), so I'll mention it to her next time I see her.

Wren, it is good knowing things, although, like you, I find it scary at times, sometimes incredibly so, and at those times, I just stop reading...even the blogs. The information, while good, is overwhelming, and at this point just makes me cry, I'm afraid. But I do go back to it, because it helps me make the right decisions, I think, in terms of my treatment, ultimately.

And I'm feeling not too badly – thanks for asking! My knees are aching and my hips were protesting earlier this week, which is odd, as they haven't hurt since before I started on DMARDs. Not sure if it was the exercise or not. Did 20 minutes on the elliptical again today, though, to see if that's what set them off!

The index finger of my right hand sounds and feels really quite disgusting when it grinds. As a kid, I thought it was cool to freak out my friends by making them feel it. (Don't worry, I don't do that to people now!)

I love the word crepitus - but I'm odd like that. I've had it in my knees a couple of years now and although I'd been diagnosed with RA the docs assumed it was osteo ... it wasn't. No sign of cartilage damage, I'm glad to say, but certainly a lot of snap, crackle and popping going on!!

About Me

Disclaimer

I'm not a doctor. The information on this blog is intended for general knowledge and personal interest only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. You should consult your physician for any health issues.

It's important to realize that my experiences with rheumatoid arthritis are unique to me. Each person experiences this disease in his/her own way, with unique symptoms and reactions to medications. Good luck on your journey.